Appendix. 405 



CHLORIC ETHER. 



Referi'ing to the important communication of Mr. S. Guthrie, up- 

 on chloric ether, (p. 64 of this Vol.) I proceed to quote the passage 

 from my Elements of Chemistry, Vol. II, p. 20, by reading which, 

 Mr. Guthrie says, in his correspondence with- me, that his attention 

 was first directed to the subject ; it is as follows — 



" {h) Properties. — Resembles an oil, color yellowish, hut white, 

 when purified ; sinks in water in distinct globules, which readily run 

 together. Sp. gr. at 45° 1.22. By much agitation, is diffused in 

 the water, and partially dissolved, imparting to the water its own pe- 

 culiar taste, which is sweetish, aromatic and agreeable. Taken in- 

 ternally, it is stimulating and reviving. For this purpose, it is dis- 

 solved in alcohol, which happens instantly by agitation in a vial, and 

 the alcohol can then be diluted to any desired degree. Its medicinal 

 powers, have not been ascertained, but from its constitution and prop- 

 erties, it is highly probable that it would be an acdve diffusive stimu- 

 lant." It is well known to practical chemists, that this ether is usu- 

 ally formed, by mingling equal volumes of chlorine and defiant gas, 

 both of which are speedily condensed into the fluid form, but the 

 process is troublesome, as only a small volume of fluid is obtained 

 from a large volume of the gases. Still I have been in the habit, for 

 many years, of preparing an alcoholic solution of this ether, diluting 

 it with water to the proper degree, and then calling the attention of 

 the medical students to its remarkably grateful properties as a cordial, 

 suggesdng at the same time the probability that it might prove a valu- 

 able medicine. I am not aware, however, that this trial had been any 

 where made, and probably the subject would have still slumbered, 

 had it not been for the very ingenious, and far as I knew, original 

 process of Mr. Guthrie, (p. 64 of this Vol.) I have this day repeat- 

 ed this process and obtained an alcoholic solution of the chloric ether, 

 perfectly similar to that transmitted by Mr. Guthrie, and to that which 

 I had been accustomed to prepare, in the way already indicated. 

 Mr. Guthrie's liberality having placed it in my power, I have recently 

 distributed several bottles among my medical friends, and the report 

 as far as it has been received, is highly satisfactory. Dr. Eli Ives, 

 Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine, in the Medical 

 Institution of Yale College, has, at my request, favored me with the 

 annexed statement which is corroborated by one from his son. 



